Nigeria is ramping up efforts to strengthen its digital sovereignty by building a robust national software infrastructure and enhancing its digital governance framework. The move is part of a broader strategy to secure control over national data and develop local technological capabilities.
Central to the initiative is the development of high-standard regulatory policies designed to support seamless digital integration while ensuring that critical systems remain under domestic control.
Speaking during a meeting with Ericsson executives at GITEX Africa in Morocco, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, emphasized that Nigeria’s digital agenda is focused on protecting national interests and achieving long-term technological independence—not engaging in geopolitical technology rivalries.
He clarified that the country is not seeking to exclude global technology players but instead aims to foster partnerships that create value locally. According to him, international companies are welcome to collaborate with Nigerian partners in ways that ensure economic and technological benefits are retained within the country.
Inuwa also referenced global regulatory frameworks such as those implemented by the European Union, noting that Nigeria’s approach reflects a wider global trend of treating digital infrastructure as critical national infrastructure. He added that Nigeria has already taken steps in this direction through executive orders recognizing the strategic importance of digital systems.
A major priority for the government is to ensure that data generated within Nigeria is protected, while also building local expertise and retaining digital intelligence within its borders. This, he said, will help prevent a repeat of past industrial patterns where Africa contributed resources without capturing significant value.
The government is currently exploring policies around data ownership, particularly in emerging technologies, as it works toward a more defined regulatory framework in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Ericsson reaffirmed its long-standing role in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. The company highlighted its continued collaboration with major operators like MTN and outlined key initiatives under a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nigerian government in October 2024. These include plans for a joint innovation hub, a national hackathon, digital skills development, and knowledge-sharing programs.
Ericsson also stressed the importance of strengthening ICT infrastructure across Africa, warning of increasing competition in the telecom sector and calling for diversified technology partnerships to ensure resilience and national security.
Overall, the discussions underscore Nigeria’s growing commitment to building a secure, competitive, and self-reliant digital economy through strategic partnerships and forward-looking policies.
